ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings softball team traveled to Central Washington for their second GNAC series of the year. A few costly defensive miscues and patient offense by the Wildcats ended up being too much for the 'Jackets to overcome on Friday.
The Yellowjackets (7-18-1, 1-5 GNAC) opened the day by dropping game 1 to the Wildcats (7-16, 3-3 GNAC) by a final of 9-3. The 'Jackets ended the day coming up 1-run short of an amazing comeback, falling 6-5 in game two.
Game One: CWU 9, MSUB 3
The Wildcats were hot out of the gate, jumping out to a 5-0 lead over the Yellowjackets on Friday in game 1. The 'Jackets would not go quietly as they got three runs back in the 3
rd inning on a homerun from
Teagan Seeton, but the Wildcats would eventually win 9-3.
Some defensive miscues in the 2
nd inning allowed the Wildcats to get the bases loaded and Perez hit a bases clearing double, sending in three unearned runs to jump out to a 5-0 lead. But, in the top of the 3
rd inning, the 'Jackets were able to get
Malia Cavan and
Kaylin Galvin on base for the reigning national player of the week, Seeton. To no one's surprise, Seeton launched a three-run homer to put the 'Jackets right back in it.
"We struggled a bit getting the bats going in game 1," said MSUB head coach
Lisa McKinney. "Central Washington did a good job of putting a lot of balls in play. Our outfield id a great job of tracking them down and getting them in quickly."
The Wildcats kept on tacking on runs, totaling 11 hits to the 'Jackets three. Galvin, Seeton and
Lauren Blaschak all picked up a hit in the game while the 'Jackets left four on base.
Caitlyn James started in the circle and picked up the loss, going 6.0 innings while allowing 11 hits, 9 runs (5 earned), and 2 walks while striking out 1.
Game Two: CWU 6, MSUB 5
In game two of the double header, the 'Jackets lost a heartbreaker 6-5 to Central Washington. The 'Jackets, scoring all their runs in the last two innings, were itching for a comeback and had all the momentum on their side, but fell just one run short.
"It took us awhile to wake up offensively and we gave up too many walks," said McKinney. "I loved the fight we had in the last couple of innings offensively and we had a couple of great defensive plays highlighted by Kilee and Lauren's double play."
Seeton, having another strong campaign in hopes to repeat as national player of the week, kept the 'Jackets alive after sending a two-run shot over the outfield fence to pull within one run. However, having only one out left to work with, the 'Jackets grounded out to second base and dropped game 2.
Down 4-0 in the top of the 6
th,
Marin Penney recorded a two-out double to start the rally.
Kilee Imada singled in Penney, followed by a two-run homerun by Blaschak to bring the score within one, down 4-3.
Penney and Imada had strong games at the plate as they both went 2-3 with Imada adding an RBI. Galvin, Seeton, Blaschak,
Ashley Akers and Cavan also added hits for the 'Jackets.
Freshman pitcher
Shelby Wasilewski went 5.0 inning in the loss; she allowed 3 hits and 4 earned runs.
THE BUZZ: Seeton was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game in game one, while Blaschak was selected in game two.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will finish the four-game series with a double header tomorrow at Central Washington University beginning at 12pm (PDT). Live video can be
found here and live stats can be
found here. The 'Jackets next home game will be on Friday, April 5
th, and their full schedule can be
found here.
